Who made these circles in the Sahara?

Vox

10 May 202227:08

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script recounts a digital detective story that unfolds the mystery of 22 circles discovered in the Algerian Sahara via Google Earth. After extensive online research and interviews with experts, the creator, alongside a local journalist and team, embarks on a physical journey to the site. They uncover evidence of dynamite use and historical artifacts, leading to the conclusion that the circles were part of a 1950s seismic survey for oil by the French company CREPS, a remnant of colonial exploitation and the early days of oil exploration in the region.

Takeaways

🌐 The story begins with the discovery of mysterious circles in Algeria's Sahara Desert via Google Earth.
🔍 Initial investigations involved reaching out to various experts, officials, and locals without immediate success.
🤔 The circles' authenticity was confirmed as real physical structures, not satellite imaging glitches.
🛣️ A hypothesis suggested the circles might be related to oil exploration, given the region's oil and gas history.
🔬 Expert analysis from a geophysicist dismissed the idea of the circles being related to modern seismic surveys.
🏺 An 1885 document mentioning circular tumuli near the site sparked the possibility of ancient burial mounds.
💧 Investigations into an ancient irrigation system (foggara) seemed promising but ultimately did not match the circles' characteristics.
📚 A database of Saharan oases and their managers provided no definitive answers.
🚗 A decision was made to physically visit the site to uncover the mystery, leading to the hiring of a local journalist and team.
💣 On-site exploration revealed metal wires and dynamite, suggesting an old technique of seismic surveying for oil was used.
🥫 Canned food found at the site, dating back to the late 1950s, provided a clue to the timing of the exploration activities.
🏛️ The circles were identified as remnants of seismic surveying by French CREPS employees searching for oil in the late 1950s.

Q & A

What initially sparked the curiosity of the narrator about the mysterious circles in the Algerian Sahara?
-The narrator's curiosity was sparked by a Reddit post describing 'undocumented markings' in Algeria, visible on Google Earth near a location called 'Tebalbalet tomb.'
How many circles were there, and what were their dimensions and spacing?
-There were 22 circles, each with 12 surrounding things, 42 meters in diameter, and 420 meters apart, located at longitude 4'20 East.
What was the first hypothesis about the purpose of the circles?
-The first hypothesis was that the circles might be related to oil exploration, as the area is rich in oil and gas, and the circles resembled seismic surveys.
What did Bob Hardage, a seismic imaging expert, conclude about the nature of the circles?
-Bob Hardage concluded with 100-percent confidence that the features in the imagery are not seismic arrays used in oil and gas exploration, based on their shape and visibility.
What ancient structure was suggested to be related to the circles based on an 1885 document?
-The 'Well of Tebalbalet' with two circular tumuli, which are ancient burial mounds, was suggested to be related to the circles.
How did the discovery of oil and gas impact Algeria's history?
-The discovery of oil and gas in 1956 led to companies flocking to the region, which was during a brutal decolonization war with France. Today, Algeria is one of the world's top exporters of natural gas.
What was the significance of the sardine cans found at the site?
-The sardine cans, labeled 'Arsène Saupiquet' and featuring a 1960s-style design, suggested that the site was active before the label changed in 1960 and likely in the late 1950s.
What was the role of CREPS in the exploration of the Sahara?
-CREPS, the Sahara Petroleum Research and Exploitation Company, was a joint venture between the French government and Shell that had a permit to explore and extract oil in the Sahara from 1953 to 1958.
What method did the French CREPS employees use to search for oil, and how does it differ from modern techniques?
-The French CREPS employees used dynamite explosions to create seismic waves for underground resource detection, which is an older technique compared to the more sophisticated vibration machines used in modern seismic surveying.
What was the final conclusion about the origin and purpose of the circles?
-The final conclusion was that the circles were created by French CREPS employees using dynamite explosions for oil exploration around 1957 or 1958, and they are remnants of an older seismic surveying technique.
How did the discovery of the circles and the subsequent investigation contribute to understanding the history of the region?
-The discovery and investigation of the circles provided insights into the colonial history of the region, specifically the attempts by France to exploit the natural resources of Algeria during the period of decolonization and the impact it had on the region's development.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Unraveling the Mystery of Algerian Circles

The video script begins with the narrator's fascination with Google Earth and the discovery of mysterious circles in Algeria's Sahara Desert, near Tebalbalet tomb. The narrator embarks on a quest to understand the purpose of these 'undocumented markings' and documents the process over 20 weeks. Initial hypotheses range from oil exploration to ancient tombs, but the true nature of the circles remains elusive, leading to extensive research and outreach to experts and locals.

05:03

🔍 The Hunt for Historical Clues

The investigation continues with the narrator and the Vox video team delving deeper into historical records and consulting with experts. They discover an 1885 document mentioning circular tumuli and hypothesize that the circles might be ancient burial mounds. However, this theory is later dismissed after consulting with an archaeologist. The search expands to include the possibility of the circles being related to an ancient irrigation system called a qanat, but this too is ruled out by an American geographer specializing in qanats.

10:05

🚜 The Sahara Expedition

Despite the lack of concrete answers, the team decides to take the investigation to the next level by planning an expedition to the site of the circles. They hire a local journalist, Samir Abchiche, who faces numerous challenges in preparing for the journey, including the lack of infrastructure and potential dangers. The team sets off on a long and arduous drive into the desert, encountering various obstacles along the way.

15:13

💣 Discovery of Dynamite and Artifacts

Upon reaching the site, the team finds evidence of dynamite buried underground, connected by metal wires, suggesting the circles were created by dynamite explosions. They also find artifacts such as old sardine cans, which provide a clue to the time period of the circles' creation. The discovery of the dynamite and artifacts shifts the focus to the possibility of the circles being remnants of seismic surveying for petroleum.

20:15

🏛️ The Colonial Legacy Unearthed

The mystery is finally solved when it is confirmed that the circles were created by French CREPS employees using an old seismic surveying technique with dynamite explosions. The cans found at the site, dated to the late 1950s, indicate when the surveying likely took place. The story reveals the impact of colonialism and the struggle for control over resources, as CREPS was a joint venture between the French government and Shell, operating in the Sahara before Algerian independence.

25:16

📚 Conclusion and Reflection

The video concludes with the narrator reflecting on the journey to uncover the truth behind the Algerian circles. The discovery is celebrated as a testament to persistent investigation and collaboration. The narrator acknowledges the contributions of numerous individuals and the power of the internet in solving the mystery, ultimately finding satisfaction in the answer that the circles are a relic of early seismic exploration and a symbol of colonial history.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Google Earth

Google Earth is a virtual globe, map, and geographical information program that allows users to view satellite images, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, galaxies, and oceans. In the context of the video, it is the platform where the mysterious circles in the Algerian Sahara were first discovered, sparking the curiosity and subsequent investigation of the narrator.

💡Tebalbalet tomb

The Tebalbalet tomb refers to an ancient burial site mentioned in the video, which is associated with the mysterious circles found in the Sahara. The term 'tumulus' is used to describe the burial mounds, which are ancient burial mounds encompassed by concentric rings.

💡Seismic surveys

Seismic surveys are methods used in geology and geophysics to investigate the Earth's subsurface structure by analyzing the way seismic waves interact with it. In the video, it is initially hypothesized that the circles might be related to seismic surveys for oil exploration.

💡Qanat or Foggara

A qanat, also referred to as a foggara in North African context, is an ancient water management system that involves underground channels to transport water from a distant source to where it is needed, such as a city or an agricultural area. In the video, the narrator considers the possibility that the circles might be related to such an irrigation system.

💡CREPS

CREPS, an acronym for the Sahara Petroleum Research and Exploitation Company, was a joint venture between the French government and Shell that had exploration rights in the Sahara from 1953 to 1958. The video concludes that the circles were created by CREPS employees using dynamite for seismic surveys in search of oil.

💡Dynamite

Dynamite is a powerful explosive used for construction, demolition, and in the past, for seismic surveys to help locate underground resources like oil. In the video, it is revealed that the circles in the Sahara were likely formed by underground dynamite explosions conducted by CREPS during their oil exploration in the late 1950s.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring partial or full control over the territory, resources, and people of another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. In the video, the circles are presented as physical evidence of French colonial efforts to extract resources from Algeria during the period when France had exploration rights in the Sahara.

💡Sahara

The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert, covering a significant portion of North Africa. The video's central mystery revolves around the discovery of unusual circles in this harsh, desert environment, which leads to an exploration of the desert's history and the possible uses of the land.

💡Oil exploration

Oil exploration refers to the search for and extraction of petroleum, which often involves geological surveys and various techniques to identify potential oil reservoirs. In the video, the circles are ultimately linked to an early method of seismic surveying conducted as part of oil exploration efforts in the Sahara.

💡Internet research

Internet research involves the process of gathering information through online sources. In the video, the narrator conducts extensive internet research to try to understand the origin and purpose of the mysterious circles, reaching out to experts and exploring various theories before physically investigating the site.

Highlights

The discovery of mysterious circles in the Algerian Sahara sparked an internet investigation.

The circles, each with 12 surrounding objects, were found 160 km from civilization.

Initial hypotheses included oil exploration and seismic surveys, but these were disproven.

An 1885 document mentioned circular tumuli in the area, suggesting ancient origins.

The investigation considered the possibility of an ancient irrigation system called a qanat.

A database of Saharan oases provided a potential connection to water management.

High-resolution images from Maxar Technologies revealed tire tracks, indicating recent human activity.

An on-the-ground journalist in Algeria was hired to explore the circles directly.

The team found metal wires and dynamite buried beneath the circles.

The discovery of French sardine cans dated the site to the late 1950s.

The site was identified as a seismic survey from the early days of oil exploration.

The survey was conducted by CREPS, a joint venture between the French government and Shell.

The circles are remnants of a colonial attempt to extract resources from Algeria.

The investigation utilized internet research, satellite imagery, and on-site exploration.

The story highlights the power of collaborative research and the limits of information available online.

The journey into the desert to uncover the truth about the circles was both dangerous and enlightening.

The investigation concluded that the circles were created around 1957 or 1958.

The story is an example of the unexpected connections and discoveries that can be made using Google Earth.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

SaharanMystery OilExploration CREPSHistory SeismicSurvey ColonialLegacy Algeria AdventureJournalism InternetInvestigation DynamiteExplorations 1950sArtifacts